These 10 N.J. school districts are getting cheated the most in state funding

It's springtime in New Jersey, which means the annual fight over school funding is already in full swing.

Though Gov. Phil Murphy's budget increases school aid by $283 million, school officials are calling for more, and some districts can make a stronger case than others.

Districts with major enrollment booms over the past decade, significantly changing demographics or weakening tax bases have been especially shortchanged as the state routinely underfunded its formula for allocating school aid.

Check out the list below to see the 10 districts who are cheated the most, according to an NJ Advance Media analysis of state data.

The ranking is based on how much state aid each district received this school year compared to how much it would be owed if the state fully funded its formula, including abolishing all limits and caps on annual increases.

Top 10 underfunded by percentage

1. Chesterfield Township School District

Percent funded: 19.8 percent

2018 state aid: $821,188

Full aid owed: $4.1 million

2. Atlantic City School District

Percent funded: 22 percent

2018 state aid: $24.3 million

Full aid owed: $110.6 million

3. River Edge Public Schools

Percent funded: 22.6 percent

2018 state aid: $752,750

Full aid owed: $3.3 million

4. Elmwood Park Public Schools

Percent funded: 24.9 percent

2018 state aid: $4.7 million

Full aid owed: $19 million

5. Atlantic County Vocational School District

Percent funded: 25 percent

2018 state aid: $4.9 million

Full aid owed: $19.8 million

6. Robbinsville Public School District

Percent funded: 25.8 percent

2018 state aid: $3.1 million

Full aid owed: $12 million

7. Rockaway Borough School District

Percent funded: 27 percent

2018 state aid: $584,221

Full aid owed: $2.2 million

8. Little Ferry Public Schools

Percent funded: 29 percent

2018 state aid: $2.1 million

Full aid owed: $7.4 million

9. Absecon Public School District

Percent funded: 32.1 percent

2018 state aid: $1.7 million

Full aid owed: $5.3 million

10. North Brunswick Township Public Schools

Percent funded: 32.6 percent

2018 state aid: $14.6 million

Full aid owed: $44.8 million

Largest dollar differences

Another way to look at getting shortchanged is by the total dollar amount.

These large districts already receive substantial state aid but would be in line for the biggest dollar increases if the formula is eventually fully funded.